Florida Gopher Tortoise Day

Gopher tortoises more active in spring, just in time for Florida Gopher Tortoise Day

Spring days are a good time to spot a gopher tortoise. Florida’s only native tortoise becomes more active in spring, foraging for food and searching for a mate.
If you see gopher tortoises or their half-moon shaped burrow entrances, it is best to leave them alone. It’s illegal to disturb or harm gopher tortoises, their burrows or their eggs. You can help a gopher tortoise cross a road, by picking it up and placing it on the roadside in the direction it was heading. But only do this if it is safe for you to do so, and don’t put the tortoise in your vehicle! Remember too, the tortoise is a land animal, so never attempt to put it into water.

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“If you’re a fan of the gopher tortoise, help us spread the word on conserving this threatened species, whose burrows are home to hundreds of animals, including the eastern indigo snake, gopher frog and Florida mouse,” said Deborah Burr, who heads the FWC’s gopher tortoise management program.

Gopher tortoises need plenty of sandy, sunny habitats with an open tree canopy to thrive and survive. The FWC’s wildlife management areas provide habitat for gopher tortoises. Local governments, military installations and private landowners, including farmers, foresters and ranchers, also work with the FWC to help conserve and restore gopher tortoise habitat.

Go to MyFWC.com/WMA75 to find a Wildlife Management Area where you might spot gopher tortoises and their burrows.

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Mike Sokol, J.D., Broker Associate and Realtor®, GRI, with Beach To Tee at John R. Wood Properties, has over 39 years of professional experience. Please feel free to call or email Mike with any questions and to discuss your real estate requirements. Mike can be reached directly at 239-287-8640 and by E-mail at Mike@BeachToTee.com